When I hear the expression ‘age appropriate’ in conjunction with fashion and women over 50 I get nervous. It means there is someone standing in judgment of my personal preferences or likes and scolding me with a ‘cluck, cluck’ about what I should or shouldn’t be wearing at my age. Aren’t I beyond caring at this point? I mean, it’s not like I’m going down the Red Carpet or running for President. If I want to have a little whimsy or still have great legs (shape, not veins), why not a fun color tights? Who is making these rules anyway? Anybody I care about? That’s the other benefit of older (not old) age – you care less what people think.
Is my hair too long? Are my skirts too short? Do I have to give up sleeveless tops? Are these shoes still OK for me? It’s a minefield. I don’t want to dress or appear younger. I just want to wear what I like and be mostly age-appropriate so people don’t stare and whisper. I want them to look at me because I’m radiating good energy and a beautiful smile not because I look like a clown. I’ve never chased trends and my wardrobe is mostly ‘classic’. It has to feel right on me. That means soft, comfortable but not shapeless, light on make-up, light on jewelry…
The workplace, of course, dictates a lot of what I judge to be appropriate. There is a dress code that is routinely ignored by many women in the summer, but I obey. No leggings; no flip flops – at least at work. The restrictions on women are a lot greater than those on men. Why is ‘age appropriate’ only a term used on women anyway? Age-appropriate for men means they stop wearing the fat tie that was in 30 years ago or the shirt with frayed cuffs – things that only refer to the actual age of their clothing.
Here’s to not being boring and wearing what makes me feel confident! Today that meant purple tights.
Is my hair too long? Are my skirts too short? Do I have to give up sleeveless tops? Are these shoes still OK for me? It’s a minefield. I don’t want to dress or appear younger. I just want to wear what I like and be mostly age-appropriate so people don’t stare and whisper. I want them to look at me because I’m radiating good energy and a beautiful smile not because I look like a clown. I’ve never chased trends and my wardrobe is mostly ‘classic’. It has to feel right on me. That means soft, comfortable but not shapeless, light on make-up, light on jewelry…
The workplace, of course, dictates a lot of what I judge to be appropriate. There is a dress code that is routinely ignored by many women in the summer, but I obey. No leggings; no flip flops – at least at work. The restrictions on women are a lot greater than those on men. Why is ‘age appropriate’ only a term used on women anyway? Age-appropriate for men means they stop wearing the fat tie that was in 30 years ago or the shirt with frayed cuffs – things that only refer to the actual age of their clothing.
Here’s to not being boring and wearing what makes me feel confident! Today that meant purple tights.